Department Name:
Department Number:
Roller Coasters
Possible Materials
Grey Water Pipe Insulation
$5 per tubing, $5 for half (lengthwise)
Duct Tape or Masking Tape
$3 unlimited use of duct tape
$2.50 for roll of masking tape
Scissors
$2 per pair
Clear Plastic Cup
$1 per cup
Marble(s)
$5 per tub .50c each
Meter Stick
$2 unlimited use
Stop Watch
$5
Data Sheets
Free with any purchase
$35 budget
Each team must successfully complete this challenge in order to be eligible for the final
challenge and the prize.
1. Brainstorm with your group a possible model for your roller coaster, your roller
coaster should have at least one hill. Once you have come to consensus, draw a
model of the roller coaster on your data sheet.
2. Cut the grey pipe insulation lengthwise in half to create a track for the roller
coaster. Both halves can now be used to construct your roller coaster track or your
group could also use the entire pipe insulation without cutting it in half.
3. Work with your group to construct a model of a roller coaster using tubing and
tape. The rollercoaster should have at least one hill. Place the clear cup at the end
of the tubing to catch your marble.
4. The roller coaster should be at least one meter, but no more than four meters long.
5. Record the actual length (distance) of your roller coaster on your data table.
6. Record the height of the hill.
7. Draw a picture of your roller coaster on your data table (label the drawing).
8. For each trial, one participant should position the marble at the top of your roller
coaster so that it can begin rolling WITHOUT being pushed.
Department Name:
Department Number:
9. When the press secretary says go, the participant should let go of the marble and
simultaneously the time keeper should begin the stop watch.
10. When the marble gets to the end of the track and enters the clear plastic cup, the
press secretary should say stop and the time keeper should stop the stop watch. (A
successful trial means the ball did not roll off the track, and the ball ended up
inside the clear cup.)
11. Please note, the marble should not hit the bottom of the cup so hard in order to
stop, or roll back more than 20 centimeters then come to a complete stop. This is
considered an unsafe roller coaster.
12. Time keeper should share the data with the statistician so he/she can record the
time elapsed on the data table.
13. Calculate the speed for each trial and record it on your data table. (Speed =
distance/time)
14. Repeat steps 5 – 9 four more times.
15. Calculate the average speed.
Department Name:
Department Number:
Roller Coaster #1 Data Table
Initial drawing of your roller coaster
Length of roller coaster:
Height of the starting point of the track:
Height of hill
Trial #
Distance in
meters
Time in
seconds
Speed m/s
1
2
3
4
5
Average
Final drawing of your roller coaster
Cleared for Challenge :
Signature
Date
Department Name:
Department Number:
Roller Coaster Challenge
1. Work with your group to redesign a roller coaster using tubing and tape and any
other material available to you. The rollercoaster should have at least one hill and
one loop. Place the cup at the end of the tubing to catch your marble.
2. Your group will determine the length of the rollercoaster.
3. Record the actual length (distance) of your roller coaster on your data table.
4. Record the height of the hill(s)
5. Draw a picture of your roller coaster on your data table (label the drawing)
6. For each trial, one participant should position the marble at the top of your roller
coaster so that it can begin rolling WITHOUT being pushed.
7. When the press secretary says go, the participant should let go of the marble and
simultaneously the time keeper should begin the stop watch.
8. When the marble gets to the end of the track and enters the clear plastic cup, the
press secretary should say stop and the time keeper should stop the stop watch. (A
successful trial means the ball did not roll off the track, and the ball ended up
inside the clear cup.)
9. Time keeper should share the data with the statistician so he/she can record the
time elapsed on the data table.
10. Calculate the speed for each trial and record it on your data table. (Speed =
distance/time)
11. Repeat steps 6 – 9 four more times.
12. Calculate the average speed
Department Name:
Department Number:
Roller Coaster Challenge Data Table
Initial drawing of your roller coaster
Length of roller coaster:
Height of the starting point of the track:
Height of hill
Trial #
Distance in
meters
1
2
3
4
5
Average
Final drawing of your roller coaster
Time in
seconds
Speed m/s
Department Name:
Department Number:
Other Information:
Successes:
Challenges:
Why do you feel your roller coaster should be chosen?